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France faces a day of gridlock on Wednesday as a grassroots movement to \u2018block everything\u2019 threatens to paralyse the country\u2019s transport networks.<\/p>\n
The demonstrations, branded Bloquons tout (\u2018let\u2019s block everything\u2019), are part of a nationwide strike against the now ex-Prime Minister Fran\u00e7ois Bayrou\u2019s proposed austerity plan \u2013 action that will continue even after his fragile minority government collapsed this week.<\/p>\n
The movement to “block everything” bubbled up online as far back as July. In recent weeks, it spread rapidly on TikTok, Telegram and other platforms with viral calls for boycotts, blockades and strikes<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Its popular beginnings have drawn comparisons with the Yellow Vest<\/strong><\/a> protests in 2018, which grew from anger over fuel prices into nationwide action against political elites.<\/p>\n At the heart of the discontentment this time is Bayrou\u2019s 2026 financial plan, which sought to cut \u20ac44 billion from the national budget to reduce France\u2019s deficit. Key measures included removing two national holidays, freezing pensions and cutting \u20ac5 billion in health spending.<\/p>\n Related<\/b><\/p>\n The protest now comes amid deepening political turmoil. Bayrou\u2019s debt reduction plan drew widespread outrage and led him to announce his resignation on Monday.<\/p>\n His government lasted just nine months, making him France\u2019s third prime minister to step down in the past year.<\/p>\n France\u2019s transport<\/strong><\/a> sector is expected to bear the brunt of the action.<\/p>\n Sud-Rail has pledged a \u2018massive strike\u2019 that could lead to thousands of SNCF rail cancellations nationwide. Regional RER and Transilien services around Paris<\/strong><\/a> are also expected to run reduced timetables.<\/p>\n Bonjour RATP, the mobile app run by the Paris public transport operator, forecasts heavy disruptions on several commuter lines, although currently the metro service is expected to be \u2018almost normal<\/strong><\/a>\u2019.<\/p>\n Although the country\u2019s unions were not behind the original campaign, their recent support has given it extra weight. The powerful CGT union recently endorsed the action, raising the prospect of disruption to trains<\/strong><\/a>, ferries, fuel supplies and other services.<\/p>\n Eurostar, the high-speed service linking<\/strong><\/a> London with Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, says its trains will run as normal during the strike. But with France\u2019s domestic rail services severely disrupted, knock-on effects remain likely. Travellers could face missed connections, limited onward options and crowded alternative routes.<\/p>\n Even more transport disruption awaits travellers in France this month. France\u2019s largest air traffic controllers\u2019 union has confirmed a 24-hour walkout<\/strong><\/a> from 18 to 19 September.<\/p>\n Expected to be one of the biggest ATC strikes in years, the action will affect not only flights to and from France but also thousands that cross its airspace. Routes between the UK, Spain, Italy and other European destinations are likely to see delays and cancellations.<\/p>\n Related<\/b><\/p>\n The interruptions follow a wave of strikes in July that grounded hundreds of flights, stranding passengers during the peak summer travel season and drawing the ire of airlines<\/strong><\/a>. With September\u2019s walkout falling outside the holidays, airlines warn of limited flexibility to rebook travellers quickly.<\/p>\nWhat travellers can expect amid strikes in France<\/h2>\n
Air traffic control strikes loom<\/h2>\n